Learning objectives
The course unit offers an introduction to the
physical mechanisms governing the atmospheric processes, which are at
the basis of meteorological analysis and prediction. The students will
become familiar with the main weather phenomena and with the physical
variables involved in those phenomena.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course unit, students will be able to:
- provide order-of-magnitude estimates to atmospheric variables and balances;
- analyze and interpret weather maps;
- describe the dynamics of weather systems on a synoptic scale;
- make a simple weather forecast by using the circulation pattern in the mid troposphere;
- account for processes influencing the development of high and low pressure systems;
- account for the effect that the Earth's surface has on the atmospheric circulation.
- provide order-of-magnitude estimates to atmospheric variables and balances;
- analyze and interpret weather maps;
- describe the dynamics of weather systems on a synoptic scale;
- make a simple weather forecast by using the circulation pattern in the mid troposphere;
- account for processes influencing the development of high and low pressure systems;
- account for the effect that the Earth's surface has on the atmospheric circulation.
Course syllabus
Atmospheric thermodynamics (Properties of dry air, water
vapor and moist air; Hydrostatic balance and vertical profiles of
atmospheric pressure; Atmospheric stability).
Saturated processes (Microphysics of clouds, homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation), clouds and precipitation.
Atmospheric dynamics (Navier-Stokes equation for a rotating reference frame; scale analysis; geostrophic approximation; scales of atmospheric motions and typical circulation patterns at the various scales; circulation and vorticity).
Planetary boundary layer (atmospheric turbulence, turbulent kinetic energy).
Meteorological systems (instruments and observation networks, surface and upper level fronts; extra-tropical cyclones; orographic effects; analysis and interpretation of meteorological charts at the ground and at upper levels; thermal convection; heat island; marine and terrestrial breeze).
Meteorological forecasting (Equations and parameters; numerical simulations; forecastability; ensemble forecast).
Saturated processes (Microphysics of clouds, homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation), clouds and precipitation.
Atmospheric dynamics (Navier-Stokes equation for a rotating reference frame; scale analysis; geostrophic approximation; scales of atmospheric motions and typical circulation patterns at the various scales; circulation and vorticity).
Planetary boundary layer (atmospheric turbulence, turbulent kinetic energy).
Meteorological systems (instruments and observation networks, surface and upper level fronts; extra-tropical cyclones; orographic effects; analysis and interpretation of meteorological charts at the ground and at upper levels; thermal convection; heat island; marine and terrestrial breeze).
Meteorological forecasting (Equations and parameters; numerical simulations; forecastability; ensemble forecast).
Prerequisites for admission
Students are expected to have a sound background in
calculus (including ordinary and partial differential equations),
classical physics (in particular mechanics and thermodynamics), and
physics of the atmosphere.
Teaching methods
The course unit is mostly based on class lectures and exercises.
Teaching Resources
Wallace J.M. & Hobbs P.V., Atmospheric Science, Academic Press, 2006.
Holton J.R., An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Fifth Edition, Academic Press, 2012.
Bluestein H.B., Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in midlatitudes (2 volumes), Oxford University Press, 1992.
Kalnay E., Atmospheric modeling, data assimilation and predictability, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Holton J.R., An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Fifth Edition, Academic Press, 2012.
Bluestein H.B., Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in midlatitudes (2 volumes), Oxford University Press, 1992.
Kalnay E., Atmospheric modeling, data assimilation and predictability, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists in an oral discussion organized in
questions and answers concerning the topics treated during the
lectures. A few homework sets will be assigned during the course unit.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria: knowledge of the topics treated ; during the lectures; critical reasoning; skill in the use of specialistic lexicon.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria: knowledge of the topics treated ; during the lectures; critical reasoning; skill in the use of specialistic lexicon.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
- Docente titolare: Silvio Davolio
- Docente titolare: Raffaele Salerno